[Paddlewise] Solstice

	I took my Solstice GTS out on summer solstice (winter solstice too, but
that's history). . . 

	The weather was some of the finest of the year with temps in the high 80's
and just a few big, summery cumulus clouds. Tasks cut into the weekend in
Astoria, so I ended up at Braughten Beach between Govt. Island and Hayden
Island. . . on the Columbia River, right at the end of the runway for
Portland International Airport. 

	The current was running a swift 3 kt. and getting out past the "wing
dikes" that divert the river away from the beaches, I found the water
extremely choppy from large boats. Seems half the power-boaters/jet-skiers
in Portland were out on the water today. The other half were on the beaches
getting drunk and sunburned. 

	Anyway, water conditions were 2' to 3' clapotis. . . this not caused by a
wave bouncing off a bank, but instead from large (25' plus) power boat
traffic heavy on this stretch. (Summer Solstice/Father's Day/Sunday/hot
weather . . . so what were we expecting?) 

	Beacause the water was extremely choppy and because it was also warm
enough to comfortably swim in, I decided to haul out goggles,
nose-tweekers, and ear-plugs to practice self-rescues. 

	We should note/confess that I've tried a few self-rescues (paddle float)
with an Old Town Otter (9 1/2' recreational), this mostly in water where I
could touch bottom if need be. 

	So I paddled up the beach in order to get a nice long drift between the
wing dike and the pier/boat-ramp downstream. Yeah, I forget to install the
nose-tweekers first time over. The goggles (Speedo fog-proof) are swell.
Nice to be able to see underwater. 

	Dave Kruger posted in PaddleWise about his June 6th classes with Becky
(SO) taught by Ben out of Pacific Wave in Astoria. I was scheduled to join
them  but decided to fight a nasty ear infection instead. Anyway, Ben's
method is to approach the boat from the rear of the cockpit.  (port side
entry--works for horses and bicyles, why mess with custom?)

	Gripping the coaming and paddle shaft in the left hand, you "mantelshelf"
(Dave's mountaineering term for pulling yourself onto your chest) onto the
rear deck. Hook the left foot over the paddle float. From this position
it's fairly simple to swivel on your chest, hook the right foot over the
paddle, and stick the left leg in the boat. 

	Approaching from the rear of the cockpit solves a couple problems that
arise in the paddle float re-entry from in front of the cockpit: 
	Pulling up on the rear deck is MUCH easier than pulling up over the open
cockpit. You get a solid brace off the deck for both arms.  
	Position behind the cockpit puts the legs and feet at the right distance
to find the cockpit without a lot of bending, probing, and flailing. 
	The "chest swivel" over the back deck is easier because of the closed flat
surface of the deck. I took my radio out of my PFD, but still had lots of
gear in the front pockets. . . No problem to push arms a bit off the rear
deck and swivel into the cockpit. 

	This entry is very fast and stable, important in heavy chop (in which I
found myself practicing). My big concern is bracing with the paddle float
while using both hands to pump out the cockpit. I suppose bracing the
paddle, pump, and hands against the stomach while leaning forward to wedge
the paddle shaft against the coaming is a possibility. Putting the pump in
a spot that's accessible BEFORE re-entry is a good idea too. I had mine
wedged along the side of the seat, hard to reach while bobbing with a
cockpit full of water. 

	I think I could get serious about a foot operated bilge pump. . . 

	Just to ensure that I had this all "bomb proofed" I did about a dozen of
these re-entries. There was a white-water kayaker on the beach who thought
at first I was going to practice rolling. . . "I've never seen anyone climb
back in the boat! he says, "but that makes sense if you're way off shore."
He was surprised at how fast one could get back in the boat once the paddle
float is inflated. 

	Indeed. . . so after some great practice in the warm sun and pretty warm
water (in a wetsuit), I tackled the "big nasties" out beyond the wing dike.
The dike acts like a "point" and the combination of waves/current caused
some really hairy chopping, breaking surf off the end of the dike. This is
very much like a medium tide-rip. . . lots of standing waves and crossing
waves. 

	Tucking close to the beach, I worked my way to the So. end of Govt.
Island, the last 1.5 miles in open water with very choppy seas. I don't
think power-boat owners understand navigation rules. . . or else don't
care. Lot's of large boats passing close and tossing up breaking wakes. . .
the deck washing, armpit slapping stuff. And of course it was coming from
all directions. Lots of serious bracing practice! 

	The one down-side: Beaching the boat, I unbuttoned the skirt and took a
huge wave of water, grit and gravel into the cockpit. I spent some
considerable time filling the cockpit with water then raising first one end
then the other, but still ended up with about a half yard of grit in the
cockpit. Jammed up the foot pegs a bit too. Anybody have a fast method for
getting sand out? (Pump & sponge? But I lost my sponge on the re-entry
stuff. . . ) 

	Oh yeah. . . the  sun block works really fine too. Banana Boat Ultra, SPF
30 . .  although it leaves a greasy grip on the paddle.

	Summer is HERE!!! Geo./Svenn

	

______________________________
George Bergeron, Secretary '99
Oswego Heritage Council
www.europa.com/~heritage/
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